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Working capital management and firm profitability

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  • Thorsten Knauer
  • Arnt Wöhrmann

Abstract

Managing a firm’s current assets and liabilities (working capital management) is highly relevant to the success of that firm. While the short-term liquidity effects of working capital management are straightforward to derive, it is an empirical question how it affects firm profitability. This short survey paper consolidates the empirical literature on the association between working capital management and firm profitability. This state of the art analysis provides evidence of positive effects of accounts receivable management and inventory management on profitability. However, results for the effects of accounts payable management on profitability are driven by reverse causality. Finally, this paper highlights critical aspects of prior research and points to avenues for future research. Copyright Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Thorsten Knauer & Arnt Wöhrmann, 2013. "Working capital management and firm profitability," Metrika: International Journal for Theoretical and Applied Statistics, Springer, vol. 24(1), pages 77-87, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:metrik:v:24:y:2013:i:1:p:77-87
    DOI: 10.1007/s00187-013-0173-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Sujan Chandra Paul & Md. Asiqur Rahman & Jiasmin, 2021. "Current Assets, Current Liabilities and Profitability: A Cross Industry Analysis," Journal of Asian Business Strategy, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 11(1), pages 55-68, June.
    3. Ran An & Wentao Li & Di Wang & Yanyan Wang & Lisheng Yu, 2023. "Do Key Audit Matters Affect Operating Activities? Evidence from Inventory Management," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 59(1), pages 300-339, March.
    4. Ioan Batrancea & Ioan-Dan Morar & Ema Masca & Sabau Catalin & Liviu Bechis, 2018. "Econometric Modeling of SME Performance. Case of Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-15, January.
    5. Roma Rys-Jurek, 2021. "Working Capital Management vs Profitability in Agricultural Holdings (in the Context of Integration for “Old” and “New” EU Members)," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(1), pages 173-187.
    6. Lingesiya Kengatharan & W. S. Sanoli Tissera, 2019. "Do Corporate Governance Practices Influence Working Capital Management Efficiency? Evidence From Listed Manufacturing Companies in Sri Lanka," Research in World Economy, Research in World Economy, Sciedu Press, vol. 10(3), pages 205-216, December.
    7. Sharif N. Ahkam & Khairul Alom, 2019. "Liquidity, Level of Working Capital Investment, and Performance in an Emerging Economy," International Journal of Business and Economics, School of Management Development, Feng Chia University, Taichung, Taiwan, vol. 18(3), pages 307-328, December.
    8. Mai, Nhat Chi, 2022. "Capital Raising and Management of Vietnamese Small and Medium Sized Enterprises after Integrating into Global Economy," OSF Preprints dv68m, Center for Open Science.
    9. Tan, Hua & Iqbal, Nadeem & Wu, Zhengzhong, 2022. "Evaluating the impact of stakeholder engagement for renewable energy sources and economic growth for CO2 emission," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 198(C), pages 999-1007.
    10. Brandenburg, Marcus, 2017. "A hybrid approach to configure eco-efficient supply chains under consideration of performance and risk aspects," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 58-76.
    11. Ala’a Adden Abuhommous & Tareq Mashoka, 2018. "A dynamic approach to accounts receivable: the case of Jordanian firms," Eurasian Business Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 8(2), pages 171-191, June.
    12. Zanxin Wang & Minhas Akbar & Ahsan Akbar, 2020. "The Interplay between Working Capital Management and a Firm’s Financial Performance across the Corporate Life Cycle," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-16, February.
    13. Nguyen An Thanh Hong & Nguyen Tuan Van, 2018. "Working Capital Management and Corporate Profitability: Empirical Evidence from Vietnam," Foundations of Management, Sciendo, vol. 10(1), pages 195-195, September.
    14. Faisal Mahmood & Dongping Han & Nazakat Ali & Riaqa Mubeen & Umeair Shahzad, 2019. "Moderating Effects of Firm Size and Leverage on the Working Capital Finance–Profitability Relationship: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-14, April.
    15. M N, Nikhil & S Shenoy, Sandeep & Chakraborty, Suman & B M, Lithin, 2023. "Is the Nexus Between Capital Structure and Firm Performance Asymmetric? An Emerging Market Perspective," MPRA Paper 119669, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 17 Nov 2023.
    16. Hahn, G.J. & Brandenburg, M. & Becker, J., 2021. "Valuing supply chain performance within and across manufacturing industries: A DEA-based approach," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    17. Brandenburg, Marcus, 2016. "Supply chain efficiency, value creation and the economic crisis – An empirical assessment of the European automotive industry 2002–2010," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 171(P3), pages 321-335.
    18. Hassan, M. Kabir & Aysan, Ahmet Faruk & Kayani, Umar Nawaz & Choudhury, Tonmoy, 2023. "Working capital as a firm performance savior? Evidence from Scandinavian countries," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    19. Joseph Brian Cumbie & John Donnellan, 2017. "The Impact of Working Capital Components on Firm Value in US Firms," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 9(8), pages 138-150, August.
    20. Veronika Kajurova & Dagmar Linnertova, 2018. "The Impact of Loose Monetary Policy on the Competitiveness of Czech Firms," ACTA VSFS, University of Finance and Administration, vol. 12(1), pages 43-73.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Management accounting; Working capital management; Cash conversion cycle; Profitability; M10; G30; G32;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M10 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - General
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill

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